Adjustable foot piece



p 14, 1965 D. ALBINSON ETAL 3,206,235

ADJUSTABLE FOOT PIECE Filed Aug. 30, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Sept. 14,1965 ALBINSON ETAL 3,205,235

ADJUSTABLE FOOT PIECE Filed Aug. 30, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 4 Tram/5K5United States Patent 3,206,235 ADJUSTABLE F001 PIECE Don Alhinson,Culver City, and Gerard Robinson, San Pedro, Calili, assignors to HermanMiller, Inc., Zeeland, Mich, a corporation of Michigan Filed Aug. 38,1962, Ser. No. 220,439 3 Claims. (Cl. 28721) This invention relates toan adjustable foot piece. More particularly, this invention relates toan angularly adjustable base structure adapted to be secured to asupporting surface such that the element the base supports is supportedin a level position regardless of whether or not the supporting surfaceis level.

Various types of base structures have been devised which includeadjustable means for maintaining a chair and the like in a horizontalposition. However, such structures presently in existence have manyinherent disadvantages. First of all, if the apparatus is to be trulyeffective, it is mandatory that the adjustable base be such that theelement it supports can be leveled in all directions. Further, it isnecessary that the structure be simple and easily operated to performits desired function. Such a base structure must also be positive in itsoperation and should not detract from the appearance of the overall unitwith which it is combined. No adjustable base structures are presentlyin existence which exhibit all of these features. v

It is therefore an object of this invention to prov de an improved basestructure for a chair and the like which may be adjusted to assure thatthe element 1t supports is maintained in a level position.

' Another object of this invention is the provlslon of such a basestructure which allows such adjustment 1n all directions.

A further object of this invention is the provision of such a basestructure which includes a minimum number of component parts, therebybeing simple to fabricate and to operate. i

A further object of this invention is the provision of such a basestructure which does not detract from the unit into which it isincorporated.

These and other objects of this invention will become obvious to thoseskilled in the base structure art upon reading the followingspecification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of an embodiment of the base structure comprisingthis invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded, perspective view of the component parts of thebase structure shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the plane IIIIII of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 3, except that the basestructure is mounted on a nonhorizontal supporting surface;

FIG. 5 is a side View of an alternative embodiment of a base structurecomprising this structure;

FIG. 6 is an exploded, perspective view of the component parts of thebase structure shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional View taken along the plane VI-VI of FIG. 5;and

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 7, except that the basestructure is mounted on a nonhorizontal supporting surface.

Briefly, this invention relates to an angularly adjustable basestructure adapted to be secured to a supporting surface which includes aseat element having an arcuate upper surface and a leg mounting bearingmember having arcuate upper and lower surfaces. The lower surface of thebearing member is slidably seated on the upper surface of the seatelement. A cover plate is provided 3,206,235 Patented Sept. 14, 1965 forthe seat element and the bearing member having an arcuate lower innersurface seating against the upper surface of the bearing member andslidably rockable thereabout. The cover plate and the seat elementinclude means for reception of fastener elements for securing the coverplate to the seat element, locking the bearing member therebetween,these means in the cover plate and the seat element positioned beyondthe periphery of the bearing member.

Referring more specifically to the drawing, the reference numeral 1designates one embodiment of an angularly adjustable base structure madein accordance with this invention (FIGS. 1-4). The base 1 includes aseat element 5, a leg mounting bearing member 10, a leg 15 and a coverplate 20 (FIG. 2).

In this embodiment, the seat element 5 comprises an annulus, having afiat bottom 6 and a concave upper surface 7 (FIGS. 2 and 3). The legmounting bearing member 10 is circular and includes a spherical convexupper surface 11 and a spherical convex lower surface 12. Further, anopening 13 extends therethrough. The opening 13 is of a size receivingthe leg 15, the leg 15 being suitably securely mounted therein.

The cover plate 20 includes an opening 21 for reception of the leg 15.The diameter of the opening 21 is larger than that of the leg 15 topermit movement of the leg within the opening, which will be more fullyexplained hereinafter. The bottom 22 of the cover plate is concave inshape to conform to the upper surface 11 of the leg mounting bearingmember 10. A plurality of openings 23 are provided in the'cover plategenerally adjacent its edges. A flange 24 extends downwardly from theedge of the cover plate.

Assembly and operation The base 1 is assembled as follows. The seatmember 5 is positioned on a supporting surface, such as a floor 2, atthe spot where the article to be supported, such as a chair, is to bepositioned (FIGS. 1 and 3). Next, the leg mounting bearing member 10 ispositioned upon the seat element 5, the leg 15 being securely mountedwithin the opening 13 of the bearing member 10. The lower surface 12 ofthe bearing member 10 engages the upper surface 7 of the seat element 5,and it will be noted that sliding, relative movement is possible. If thesupporting surface 2 is level as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the bearingmember 10 is centered on the seat element 5. However, if the supportingsurface 2 is not level as shown in FIG. 4, the bearing member 1b ispositioned on the seat element 5 such that the leg 15 is perpendicularto the horizontal, even though the supporting surface is not horizontal.It will thus be noted that adjustment of the hearing member and theseating element through relative movement enables one to position theleg 15 perpendicular to the horizontal even if the supporting surface isnot horizontal.

Next, the cover plate 20 is positioned over the leg mounting bearingmember 10, the leg 15 extending through the opening 21 in the coverplate. Since the opening 21 is larger than the diameter of the leg 15,it will be seen from FIGS. 3 and 4 that the concave bottom 22 fitssnugly against the upper convex surface 11 of the bearing member 10regardless of the positioning of the bearing member 10 with respect tothe seat element 5. Attachment bolts 25 are then inserted through theopenings 23 in the cover plate and suitably secured into the supportingsurface 2. By drawing the attachment bolts 25 tightly against the coverplate 20, the bearing member 10, and thus the leg 15, is securely andpositively locked between the cover plate 20 and the seat element 5. Itshould be specifically noted that the flange 24 of the cover plate 20 ispreferably spaced a short distance from the supporting surface 2 so asto allow for proper adjustment. The article to be supported (not shown),such as a chair, is then attached to a means, such as the threadedelement 16, provided on the leg 15.

It will be noted that this invention has provided an angularlyadjustable base structure adapted to be secured to a supporting surface,the base structure being able to support an element in horizontalposition even though the supporting surface is not horizontal.Adjustment is possible about the axis of the leg through 360 degrees.The structure is simple, the base being easily fabricated and quicklyand simply assembled and adjusted for use. The same simplicity may beretained in appearance, thus the adjustable structure does not detractfrom the appearance of the unit with which it is associated.

Modification Referring to FIGS. 58, the reference numeral 50 designatesanother embodiment of an angularly adjustable base structure made inaccordance with this invention. The base 50 includes a seat element 55,a leg mounting bearing member 60, a leg 65, a cover plate 70 and a covermember 90.

In this embodiment, the seat element 55 comprises a circular,dome-shaped element having a convex upper surface 56 with a flange 57around its periphery, openings 58 being provided in the flange (FIGS. 6and 7). Additional threaded openings 59 are provided in the dome-shapedportion generally adjacent the flange 57, the purpose of which will beexplained hereinafter. The leg mounting bearing member 60 is circularand includes a spherical convex upper surface 61 and a spherical concavelower surface 62. The leg 65 extends upwardly from the upper surface 61.

The cover plate 70 includes an opening 71 for reception of the leg 65.The diameter of the opening 71 is larger than that of the leg 65 topermit movement of the leg within the opening, in the same manner asexplained hereinbefore. The bottom 72 of the cover plate is sphericallyconcave in shape to conform to the upper surface 61 of the leg mountingbearing member 60. The diameter of the cover plate 70 is larger thanthat of the leg mounting bearing member 60, and a plurality of openings73 are provided in the cover plate generally adjacent its edges.

The cover member 90 is of a size suflicient to envelop the cover plate,the leg mounting bearing member and the seat element. It includes anopening 91 at the top thereof of a diameter larger than that of the leg65, permitting movement of the leg 65 therein. A collar 92 is providedat this opening, having a set screw mechanism 93 therein for positioningand holding the cover member with respect to the leg as will now beexplained.

It will be seen that the base 50 is assembled in the same manner as thebase 1 described hereinbefore. The seat member 55 is positioned on asupporting surface, such as a floor 2, at the spot where the article tobe supported, such as a chair, is to be positioned (FIGS. 5 and 7).Attachment bolts 51 extend through openings 58 in flange 57, thusrigidly secure the seat element 55 to the supporting surface 2. Next,the leg mounting bearing member 60 is positioned upon the seat element55, the leg 65 extending upwardly from the bearing member 60. The lowersurface 62 of the bearing member 60 engages the upper surface 56 of theseat element 55 and it will be noted that sliding, relative movement ispossible. If the supporting surface 2 is level as shown in FIGS. 5 and7, the bearing member 60 is centered on the dome-shaped seat element 55.However, if the supporting surface 2 is not level as shown in FIG. 8,the bearing member 60 is positioned on the seat element 55 such that theleg 65 is perpendicular to the horizontal, even though the supportingsurface is not horizontal. It will thus be noted that once again,angular adjustment 4 of the bearing member and the seating elementthrough relative movement enables one to position the leg 65perpendicular to the horizontal even though the supporting surface isnot horizontal.

Next, the cover plate 70 is positioned over the leg mounting bearingmember 60, the leg 65 extending through the opening 71 in the coverplate. Since the opening 71 is larger than the diameter of the leg 65,it will be seen from FIGS. 7 and 8 that the concave bottom 72 fitssnugly against the convex surface 61 of the bearing member 60 regardlessof the positioning of the bearing member 60 with respect to the seatelement 55. Attachment bolts 75 are then inserted through the openings73 in the cover plate and screw into the threaded Openings 59 in thedome-shaped surface 56 of the seat element 55. This rigidly secures theseat element 55 to the cover plate 70, rigidly locking the leg mountingbearing member 60 therebetween. The cover member is then inserted overthe leg 65, and the set screw 93 extending through the collar 92 rigidlysecures the cover member to the leg.

It will be seen that the base structure 50 achieves all of the resultsand advantages noted hereinbefore, and in addition is comprised of partscapable of being stamped in production, thus making it a morecompetitive article of manufacture.

While only two embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed, it may be possible to practice the invention through theutilization of certain other embodiments without departing from thespirit and scope thereof. Such other embodiments are to be considered apart of this invention unless the following claims specifically stateotherwise.

We claim:

1. An angularly adjustable base structure adapted to be secured to asupporting surface comprising: a seat element having a concave uppersurface; a bearing member having convex upper and lower surfaces, saidlower surface of said bearing member slidably seating on said uppersurface of said seat element; a leg secured to said bearing member; acover plate for said seat element and bearing member having a concavelower inner surface seating against said upper surface of said bearingmember and slidably rockable thereabout; said cover plate having acentral clearance opening about said leg to permit its eccentricmovement with respect to said leg; the peripheral portions of said coverplate extending downwardly to enclose said seat element and bearingmember, said pe ripheral portions, when said cover plate is seatedon'said bearing member, being spaced from said supporting surface;fastener elements for securing said cover plate to said floor andforcing said cover plate against said bearing member and said bearingmember against said seat element for locking them against movement withrespect to each other.

2. An angularly adjustable base structure adapted to be secured to asupporting surface as defined in claim 1 wherein said seat element is anannulus.

3. An angularly adjustable base structure adapted to be secured to asupporting surface as defined in claim 1 wherein said seat element andsaid bearing member are circular and said seat element is an annulus.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 153,813 8/74Dewey 28712 211,471 1/79 Hurley 287-21 259,957 6/82 White 28721 366,7907/87 Orther 287-21 1,407,118 2/22 Bennett 287-21 X 1,796,106 3/31Johnson 287-87 2,262,064 11/41 Swarr 1642 CARL W. TOMLIN, PrimaryExaminer.

1. AN ANGULARLY ADJUSTABLE BASE STRUCTURE ADAPTED TO BE SECURED TO ASUPPORTING SURFACE COMPRISING: A SEAT ELEMENT HAVING A CONCAVE UPPERSURFACE; A BEARING MEMBER HAVING CONVEX UPPER AND LOWER SURFACES, SAIDLOWER SURFACE OF SAID BEARING MEEMBER SLIDABLY SEATING ON SAID UPPERSURFACE OF SAID SEAT ELEMENT; A LEG SECURED TO SAID BEARING MEMBER; ACOVER PLATE FOR SAID SEAT ELEMENT AND BEARING MEMBER HAVING A CONCAVELOWER INNER SURFACE SEATINF AGAINST SAID UPPER SURFACE OF SAID BEARINGMEMBER AND SLIDABLY ROCKABLE THEREABOUT; SAID COVER PLATE HAVING ACENTRAL CLEARANCE OPENING ABOUT SAID LEG TO PERMIT ITS ECCENTRICMOVEMENT WITH RESPECT TO SAID LEG; THE PERIPHERAL PORTIONS OF SAID COVERPLATE EXTENDING DOWNWARDLY TO ENCLOSE SAID SEAT ELEMENT AND BEARINGMEMBER, SAID PERIPHERAL PORTIONS, WHEN SAID COVER PLATE IS SEATED ONSAID BEARING MEMBER, BEING SPACED FROM SAID SUPPORTING SURFACE; FASTENERELEMENTS FOR SECURING SAID COVER PLATE TO SAID FLOOR AND FORCING SAIDCOVER PLATE AGAINST SAID BEARING MEMBER AND SAID BEARING MEMBER AGAINSTSAID SEAT ELEMENT FOR LOCKING THEM AGAINST MOVEMENT WITH RESPECT TO EACHOTHER.